Sourcing Lead Paint

This page explains the process you need to follow in England if you want to either use - or supply lead paint for use - on Grade I or II* listed buildings, scheduled monuments or works of art or use paints with high volatile organic compounds (solvents).

Historic England is responsible for approving the supply and use of lead paint in England.

The marketing and use restrictions of lead paints are set out in the REACH Enforcement Regulations, Schedule 5 (and specifically UK Statutory Instrument No.2852). REACH, is the acronym for the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical substances.

It restricts the use of hazardous substances and promotes the safe handling of all chemical materials. It is an offence to contravene paragraph 5(b) or 6 of Part 1 of Schedule 5, or cause or allow another person to do so.

A person/supplier who supplies or uses lead paint is subject to the following restrictions and obligations.

Permitted use of lead paint

In England a supplier can, with the approval of Historic England, supply lead paint to be used in the maintenance or restoration of:

Historic buildings that are listed either Grade I or Grade II*

Scheduled monuments

Fine or decorative works of art

Suppliers wanting to import and/or sell lead paint must comply with REACH regulations.

Lead paint purchased in the UK

If you want to use lead paint for qualifying structures or artworks in England you must obtain a declaration form from the supplier of the paint, complete it, and send it back to the supplier.

The supplier must then send a copy of the declaration with their own notification form to Historic England for approval. The required contents of the declaration and notification forms and the contact details of Historic England are set out below. The supplier must not supply the paint less than three weeks after submitting the declaration and notification forms to Historic England.

Upon receiving the declaration form from the supplier, Historic England will assess the eligibility of the sale of paint. If we are not satisfied with the content of a relevant declaration or notification, we will respond in writing to the applicant within two weeks of receipt, with the reasons for our decision.

Lead paint purchased outside the UK

If you have obtained lead paint outside the UK and want to use it in England you must complete and send a declaration form with the information listed below (Contents of a relevant declaration) to Historic England. You must not use the paint less than three weeks after submitting the declaration

Upon receiving the declaration form, Historic England will assess the eligibility of the proposed use. If we are not satisfied with the content of a relevant declaration, we will respond in writing to the applicant within two weeks of receipt, with the reasons for our decision.

Historic England contact details for lead paint declarations and notifications

However, the legislation does permit the use of decorative paints, varnishes with a higher VOC content for the maintenance of historic buildings that are either Grade I, Grade II* or a scheduled monument.

A Code of Practice governs the sale of non-compliant paint to customers for use on historic buildings or vintage vehicles. The supplier requires the customer to complete a declaration of intent and proof of historic building status. The declaration form can be obtained from the paint supplier.